Tarui T, Flake A, Kim A, McClain L, Fried I, Bianchi D. Transcriptomic analysis of living fetuses with myelomeningocele. Oral Presentation at the Annual Meeting of International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD), Berlin, Germany, July 2016 Selected as one of five top ISPD Top Abstracts.

K23 NIH/NICHD
2015-2020
Prenatal diagnosis of brain malformations: Improving assessment of prognosis
The goal of this study is to develop novel fetal neuroimaging and genetic diagnostic technologies for brain malformations that are detected in fetuses by second trimester prenatal ultrasound examination. Findings from this study will develop better fetal diagnostic technologies to provide more accurate diagnoses and prognoses, and will also be used to develop novel fetal treatments to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in these affected children.

Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, USA
2013-2015
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging of the developing brain in living fetuses with Down Syndrome
The goal of this project is to analyze developing fetal brains in ongoing pregnancies of women carrying fetuses with Down syndrome. The intent is to develop baseline information in untreated fetuses that can be used at a later date to compare with fetuses undergoing prenatal treatment to improve neurogenesis.

Susan Saltonstall Award
2012-2014
Tufts Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics
Prenatal diagnosis of Agenesis of Corpus Callosum (ACC): Improving assessment of prognosis through gene expression and imaging studies.
The goal of this study is to characterize the amniotic fluid supernatant transcriptomic profile and quantitative fetal MRI measures (biometric measures, regional volumetrics, changes in diffusion signals and cerebral surface curvature) in fetuses with isolated ACC in comparison with that of gestational age-matched control fetuses to (1) provide the new insights in morphometrical development of fetal brain in ACC and normal conditions and (2) identify the specific molecular pathways and networks that are involved in normal callosal development and pathogenesis of ACC.
Role: Principal Investigator